Cherchi has been a point of reference for many producers in Sardinia on account of Giovanni Cherchi’s contribution to the fame of Vermentino di Sardegna beyond the regional boundary. A long time veteran of the wine business in this region, Giovanni Cherchi started his career in 1970 as a winegrower after inheriting a 2 ha vineyard and selling fruit to other wineries in the region. He started producing his own wine with the 1980 vintage and has since passed the torch to his children Salvatore, Annalisa and Maria, while continuing to oversee the work in both the vineyard and winery.

Usini is a municipality of the province of Sassari, nestled in the Logudoro hills. These lands have a centuries-old vocation for grape-growing with their alternating limestone hills and valleys clothed by a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, vegetable gardens and pastures. The particular features of the soil and climate provide full-bodied, fragrant grapes. Sea breezes, due to the short distance from the coast, the wind and temperature excursions enrich characteristics found in the wines.

The Cherchi family owns approximately 30 ha (74 acres) of vineyards in Usini with 60% Vermentino, 35% Cagnulari and 5% Cannonau. Vineyards lie between 180 m to 200 m above sea level on hilly slopes that contain more limestone on the southeast slope and primarily clay on the northwest slope. The sea breezes provide ventilation to the enriched soils and serve as a natural pest-control. The combination of microclimates, soil types and vineyard management techniques has resulted in a limited need for chemical additives and better health towards the overall grape quality.

The estate maintains the same philosophy of respect towards nature with its susstainable winemaking facility that combines tradition with modern winemaking techniques including the use of stainless steel and temperature controlled tanks. Through his innovative ideas, Giovanni Cherchi receives credit as one of the first in his region to experiment with aging Vermentino on the lees in order to produce richer, more complex wines and to bottle Cagnulari as a single varietal wine

Vinicola Cherchi

I Garagisti di Sorgono